Daizen Maeda
Maeda with Celtic in 2023
Personal information
Full name Daizen Maeda[1]
Date of birth (1997-10-20) 20 October 1997 (age 26)
Place of birth Taishi, Osaka, Japan
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[2]
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
 Celtic
Number 38
Youth career
2013–2015 Yamanashi Gakuin University High School
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2020 Matsumoto Yamaga 56 (9)
2017 → Mito HollyHock (loan) 36 (13)
2019–2020 → Marítimo (loan) 23 (3)
2020 → Yokohama F. Marinos (loan) 23 (3)
2021–2022 Yokohama F. Marinos 36 (23)
2022 → Celtic (loan) 16 (6)
2022– Celtic 53 (11)
International career‡
2018–2021 Japan U23 17 (9)
2019– Japan 16 (3)
Medal record
Representing  Japan
Asian Games
Silver medal – second place 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 7 February 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 3 February 2024

Daizen Maeda (前田 大然, Maeda Daizen, born 20 October 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a winger for Scottish Premiership side Celtic and the Japan national team.[3]

Club career

Matsumoto Yamaga

In 2016, Maeda joined Matsumoto Yamaga FC. He got his J-League debut on 28 February 2016.[4] It was on 28 August 2016, that he scored his first goal as a professional in an Emperor's Cup game against Tokuyama University.[5]

After his loan spell at Mito, he struggled for regular playing time and was loaned to the Portuguese club, Maritimo in 2019.[6] He left the club in 2021 after his loan with Yokohama F. Marinos was made permanent.

Mito HollyHock (loan)

On 6 January 2017, Matsumoto Yamaga FC announced that Maeda will be joining Mito HollyHock on a loan deal that will run from February 2017 until January 2018.[7] He ended the season while scoring 13 goals.[8]

Maritimo (loan)

On 11 August 2019, he made his debut in the opening round of Portuguese League against Sporting CP when he came on as a substitute in the 57th minute.[9][10]

On 25 August 2019, Maeda scored his debut goal in a 3–2 loss to CD Tondela.[11][12]

Yokohama F. Marinos

On 3 August 2020, a loan transfer to Yokohama F. Marinos was announced.[13] He scored his first goal after the transfer in the match against Shimizu S-Pulse on 19 August, and contributed to the team's first victory in three games.[14][15]

By the end of the season, it was announced that the deal would be made permanent.[16] On 7 March 2021, he scored a brace against Sanfrecce Hiroshima[17][18] and continued his prolific run of form on 17 March, scoring four goals in one game against Tokushima Vortis.[19][20] On 25 September 2021, with a goal against Yokohama FC, Maeda became the top scorer in the J1 League.[21][22] On 6 November against FC Tokyo, he scored his second hat-trick of the season to keep his spot in the top scorers' ranking.[23] In addition to being named in the J.League Best XI at the end of the season, Maeda was also co-J.League Top Scorer with Leandro Damiao of Kawasaki Frontale, who had equalled his total of 23 goals for the campaign.[24]

Celtic

On 31 December 2021, Maeda was announced to have signed for Scottish Premiership club Celtic on loan for the rest of the season, with an obligation to buy at the end of the loan.[25] On 17 January 2022, Maeda made his debut and scored his first goal in the 4th minute, in a league fixture against Hibernian at Celtic Park. Maeda signed a four-year contract with Celtic at the end of the season, when his move was made permanent.[26]

On 6 September 2022, Maeda came on as a half-time substitute for Liel Abada to make his UEFA Champions League debut in a 3-0 home defeat against Real Madrid.[27] On 2 January 2023, he scored the opening goal in a 2-2 draw at Rangers.[28] His form at this time saw Premier League side Southampton monitor Maeda.[29]

On 6 July 2023, Maeda has signed a new four-year contract with Celtic, keeping him at the club until 2027.[30]

International career

On 24 May 2019, Maeda was called by Japan's head coach Hajime Moriyasu to feature in the Copa América played in Brazil.[31] He was also the first Matsumoto Yamaga player to ever feature for the senior's side. He made his debut on 17 June 2019 in the game against Chile, as a starter.[32]

In Japan's 2022 World Cup game against Germany, Maeda was placed as starting striker. He was substituted in the 57th minute by Takuma Asano. Japan advanced out of the group stage after beating Spain 2–1. On 5 December 2022, Maeda scored a goal at the 43rd minute to put Japan in front during the round of 16 game against Croatia which eventually ended 1–1 with Japan crashing out after their defeat on penalties.

Style of play

Though primarily and initially used by both Matsumoto Yamaga and Yokohama F. Marinos as a left winger, Maeda is able to operate in a number of positions as a forward, including on the opposite flank, as an attacking midfielder or occasionally a second striker. Regarding his stamina and conditioning, former coach John Hutchinson referred to Maeda as a "machine", while Arthur Papas, who also coached Maeda during his time at Yokohama, hailed his pace and sprinting.[33]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 2 January 2024[34][35]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Matsumoto Yamaga 2016 J2 League 9 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 10 1
2018 J2 League 29 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 29 7
2019 J1 League 18 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 2
Total 56 9 1 1 0 0 0 0 57 10
Mito HollyHock (loan) 2017 J2 League 36 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 36 13
Marítimo (loan) 2019–20 Primeira Liga 23 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 24 4
Yokohama F. Marinos (loan) 2020 J1 League 23 3 0 0 2 0 5 0 30 3
Yokohama F. Marinos 2021 J1 League 36 23 0 0 4 0 0 0 40 23
Total 59 26 0 0 6 0 5 0 70 26
Celtic (loan) 2021–22 Scottish Premiership 16 6 4 1 0 0 2 1 22 8
Celtic 2022–23 Scottish Premiership 35 8 4 1 4 2 6 0 49 11
2023–24 Scottish Premiership 17 3 0 0 1 0 4 0 22 3
Total 68 17 8 2 5 2 12 1 93 22
Career total 242 68 10 4 11 2 17 1 280 75

International

As of match played 3 February 2024[36]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Japan 2019 2 0
2020 0 0
2021 0 0
2022 9 2
2023 2 1
2024 3 0
Total 16 3

Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first.

List of international goals scored by Daizen Maeda
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 10 June 2022 Noevir Stadium Kobe, Kobe, Japan  Ghana 4–1 4–1 2022 Kirin Cup
2. 5 December 2022 Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar  Croatia 1–0 1–1 (a.e.t.) 2022 FIFA World Cup
3. 20 June 2023 Suita City Football Stadium, Suita, Japan  Peru 4–0 4–1 2023 Kirin Challenge Cup

Honours

Celtic

Individual

References

  1. ^ "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Squad list: Japan (JPN)" (PDF). FIFA. 15 November 2022. p. 16. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  2. ^ "Daizen Maeda". Celtic F.C. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  3. ^ J.League Data Site
  4. ^ "前田 大然：横浜Ｆ・マリノス：Ｊリーグ.jp". Ｊリーグ.jp（日本プロサッカーリーグ） (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 6 November 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  5. ^ "【公式】松本vs徳山大の選手コメント（天皇杯：2016年8月28日）：Ｊリーグ.jp". Ｊリーグ.jp（日本プロサッカーリーグ） (in Japanese). Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  6. ^ "前田大然選手CSマリティモ（ポルトガル）へ期限付き移籍のお知らせ". 松本山雅FC (in Japanese). 21 July 2019. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  7. ^ "前田大然選手 水戸ホーリーホックへ期限付移籍のお知らせ". 松本山雅FC (in Japanese). 6 January 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  8. ^ "Summary - J2 League - Japan - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway". ng.soccerway.com. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  9. ^ "Marítimo vs. Sporting Lisbon - 11 August 2019 - Soccerway". ng.soccerway.com. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  10. ^ "ポルトガルデビュー前田大然惜しい!ダイビングヘッドがポスト直撃". ゲキサカ (in Japanese). 12 August 2019. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  11. ^ "Marítimo vs. Tondela - 25 August 2019 - Soccerway". ng.soccerway.com. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  12. ^ "前田大然が今季初ゴール マリティモ本拠３失点敗戦 - ポルトガルリーグ : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  13. ^ "前田大然選手 期限付き移籍加入のお知らせ | ニュース". 横浜F・マリノス 公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  14. ^ "横浜 3試合ぶりの白星 初先発のジュニオール・サントスが2発 大然も初得点 - スポニチ Sponichi Annex サッカー". スポニチ Sponichi Annex (in Japanese). Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  15. ^ "Shimizu S-Pulse vs. Yokohama F. Marinos - 19 August 2020 - Soccerway". ng.soccerway.com. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  16. ^ FromOne co., Ltd (25 December 2020). "横浜FM、松本からFW前田大然を完全移籍で獲得！ DF前貴之の完全移籍も発表". サッカーキング (in Japanese). Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  17. ^ INC, SANKEI DIGITAL (8 March 2021). "横浜Ｍ・前田大然が２発！開幕連敗危機救った「まずはチームでしっかり結果を残す」". サンスポ (in Japanese). Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  18. ^ "Yokohama F. Marinos vs. Sanfrecce Hiroshima - 7 March 2021 - Soccerway". ng.soccerway.com. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  19. ^ "J1得点ランク首位に立った横浜FM前田大然、代表招集に意気込み「その場で活躍することが大事」". ゲキサカ (in Japanese). 17 March 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  20. ^ "Yokohama F. Marinos vs. Tokushima Vortis - 17 March 2021 - Soccerway". ng.soccerway.com. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  21. ^ "Yokohama vs. Yokohama F. Marinos - 25 September 2021 - Soccerway". ng.soccerway.com. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  22. ^ "【データ】横浜前田大然ゴールで得点単独首位！日本人16点以上は18年ぶり - Ｊ１ : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  23. ^ McKay, Gabriel (6 November 2021). "Celtic target Daizen Maeda bags brilliant hat-trick". Daily Record. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  24. ^ "Joint-top scorer Leandro Damiao named MVP in Frontale-centric Best XI". 7 December 2021. Archived from the original on 24 November 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  25. ^ Cuddihy, Pauk (31 December 2021). "Celtic delighted to welcome three new signings". Celtic F.C.
  26. ^ Cassidy, Peter (23 May 2022). "Celtic sign loan-star Daizen Maeda on permanent deal". STV Sport. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  27. ^ "Champions League (Sky Sports)". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  28. ^ "Rangers 2-2 Celtic: Kyogo Furuhashi's late strike maintains nine-point lead over Old Firm rivals". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  29. ^ "Southampton monitoring Daizen Maeda while Celtic make £3m bid for South Korea striker Gue-Sung Cho". Sky Sports. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  30. ^ "Celtic winger Maeda signs new four-year deal". www.skysports.com. Sky Sports. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  31. ^ "SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) Squad, Schedule - CONMEBOL Copa America Brazil 2019 (6/14–7/7)". JFA. 24 May 2019.
  32. ^ "Japan v Chile game report". CONMEBOL. 17 June 2019.
  33. ^ "'Like nothing I've seen' - World coaches outline Celtic new boy Maeda's attribute that will terrify defenders". 5 January 2022.
  34. ^ Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc./日本スポーツ企画出版社, "J1&J2&J3選手名鑑ハンディ版 2018 (NSK MOOK)", 7 February 2018, Japan, ISBN 978-4905411529 (p. 183 out of 289)
  35. ^ Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc./日本スポーツ企画出版社, "2017 J1&J2&J3選手名鑑 (NSK MOOK)", 8 February 2017, Japan, ISBN 978-4905411420 (p. 205 out of 289)
  36. ^ Daizen Maeda at National-Football-Teams.com Edit this at Wikidata
  37. ^ "Dundee United 1–1 Celtic: Ange Postecoglou's side reclaim league title". BBC Sport. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  38. ^ Watt, Martin (7 May 2023). "Heart of Midlothian 0–2 Celtic: Ange Postecoglou's side seal back-to-back titles". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  39. ^ Duncan, Thomas (3 June 2023). "Celtic 3–1 Inverness CT: Ange Postecoglou's side win Scottish Cup to claim treble". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  40. ^ Moffat, Colin (26 February 2023). "Kyogo strikes twice as Celtic beat Rangers in final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 February 2023.

External links

Celtic F.C. – current squad
Japan squads
Awards
Categories